On 3 July, the official opening of the joint Tibetan art exhibition organized by the International Campaign for Tibet Europe (ICT-Europe) and NGO DEI took place in The Hague. The exhibition, held in celebration of the 91st birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, brought together contemporary Tibetan art, personal stories, and cultural exchange.
The opening was originally scheduled for 26 June, but due to the exceptionally high temperatures, the reception was postponed until 3 July. The exhibition itself remained open to visitors throughout this period.
The opening ceremony was hosted by Wangpo Tethong, Executive Director of International Campaign for Tibet Europe; Laila Tara, Senior Communications and Campaigns Officer at ICT; and Lauretta Lau, Director of NGO DEI. In their welcoming remarks, they emphasized the importance of art as a means of sharing stories, preserving cultural identity, and connecting people with one another.
The gathering also included a poignant moment of reflection. Attendees paused to remember the self-immolation of Pawo Lobga Rangzen, which had taken place the day before in front of the United Nations headquarters in New York. His act was commemorated as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for freedom, dignity, and human rights of the Tibetan people.
At the heart of the exhibition is the work of Tibetan artist Ngoshi Choedon, who was present to meet visitors and discuss her work. Based in India, Ngoshi creates intricate paper collages and incorporates traditional Tibetan clothing into her art. Her works explore themes of identity, memory, and cultural heritage.
The exhibition also features a selection of works by Dutch artist Peter George d’Angelino Tap. His paintings and sculptures examine clothing and fashion as evolving reflections of culture, history, and human movement. Together, the work of both artists demonstrates how art can bring together different perspectives and build bridges between cultures.
The exhibition ran from 26 June to 12 July and served as the backdrop for a range of public events, including a creative collage workshop on identity and self-discovery, as well as an evening discussion on the unique relationship between the family of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and ICT Europe Executive Director Wangpo Tethong.
International Campaign for Tibet and NGO DEI extend their sincere appreciation to Ngoshi Choedon and Peter George d’Angelino Tap for their creativity and inspiring contributions to this exhibition. Special thanks also go to NGO DEI for generously making its beautiful exhibition space in The Hague available for the exhibition.
Finally, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all the visitors, donors, and supporters who attended the exhibition and contributed to making it a warm, inspiring, and meaningful celebration of Tibetan culture and the 91st birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
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